Alert archive / Pennsylvania / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2019

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 63, NWS Pittsburgh, PA

May 25, 2019Fayette County, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 25, 2019, 8:50 PM EDT for Fayette County, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. It was in force for 25 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued: May 25, 2019, 8:50 PM EDT (00:50 UTC)
Expired: May 25, 2019, 9:15 PM EDT
In force: 25 min
Issued by: NWS Pittsburgh, PA
Area: Storm-based polygon
Hail: 0.75 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

Counties Fayette County, PA, Westmoreland County, PA

The radar

The Pittsburgh radar (KPBZ), 73 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:53 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
May 25, 4:50 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	5 hr

The nearest sounding before it

Buffalo Intl Airport, NY (KBUF), launched 00:00Z, 0.8 hours before the alert went out and 321 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.

Mixed-layer CAPE: 23 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -127 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1073 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 41 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: -179 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: -138 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: -0.0
Supercell composite: -0.5

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Pittsburgh, PA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 25, 6:55 PM EDT, 1 hour 55 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 25, 6:55 PM EDT, 1 hour 55 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
655 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019

.SYNOPSIS...
Periodic thunderstorms can be expected until passage of a Sunday
night cold front.

&&

.NEAR TERM /THROUGH SUNDAY/...
The eve update featured cosmetic adjustments to PoPs and wx based on
the latest radar trends. Severe threat will continue until passage of
a shortwave across the Great Lakes later this evening.

&&

.SHORT TERM /SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY/...
Models suggest a weak boundary will stall across the northern
portion of the CWA by sunday morning, which may act as an initial
focus Sunday afternoon before the arrival of a cold front. Another
weak shortwave, embedded in quasi-zonal flow on the northern
periphery of southeast CONUS high pressure, will progress through the
region late Sunday afternoon.

Convection will initiate by mid afternoon as the atmosphere
undergoes diurnal destabilization under modest mid-level lapse
rates. The frontal boundary will gradually progress southward through
the afternoon and evening. Sufficient deep layer shear and lift
should promote loosely organized storms moving close to parallel that
of the W-E oriented cold front boundary. With such motion, localized
heavy rain and flash flooding is certainly possible and will have to
be monitored.

By late evening, convection will have diminished as ridging and
subsidence builds in wake of the shortwave trough. The region will be
in a bit of a saddle point in terms of low level flow. With little or
no wind and a likely saturated boundary layer, dense fog formation
is certainly possible Monday morning. This will be highly dependent
on the antecedent convection. Temperatures will fall into the 50s to
low 60s by dawn Monday.

&&

.LONG TERM /MONDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY/...
Strong southeast CONUS ridging will continue to influence our
sensible weather. Warm conditions will continue through the forecast
with daily rain chances with each passing shortwave trough on the
northern periphery of this high.

Models do suggest a longwave pattern change by next weekend.
However, the area will likely remain in quasi-zonal flow aloft, with
several transient shortwave troughs, and thus, periodic rain chances.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Convection and associated restrictions will continue to plague area
terminals through the evening.

MVFR to IFR cig restrictions are expected to develop early Sunday
morning as moisture advection gets trapped underneath a low level
inversion set up by a stationary boundary. Daytime heating will
slowly lift the cigs, but additional storms ahead of an advancing
cold front may cause restrictions to persist longer.

.Outlook...
Another round of precipitation is expected after Tuesday.

&&

.PBZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MD...None.
OH...None.
PA...None.
WV...None.

&&

Hazardous weather outlook, May 25, 4:47 AM EDT, 16 hours 3 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
447 AM EDT Sat May 25 2019

OHZ039>041-048>050-057>059-068-069-PAZ013-014-020>023-029-031-
073>076-WVZ001>004-260900-
Tuscarawas-Carroll-Columbiana-Coshocton-Harrison-Jefferson OH-
Muskingum-Guernsey-Belmont-Noble-Monroe-Lawrence-Butler-Beaver-
Allegheny-Armstrong-Indiana-Washington-Greene-Westmoreland-
Westmoreland Ridges-Fayette-Fayette Ridges-Hancock-Brooke-Ohio-
Marshall-
447 AM EDT Sat May 25 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Ohio, southwest
Pennsylvania, west central Pennsylvania, western Pennsylvania,
northern West Virginia and northern panhandle of West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Strong to severe storms are possible this afternoon and evening.
Strong and damaging wind gusts, large hail, and tornadoes are all
possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Strong to severe storms are possible once again Sunday afternoon.
Damaging wind gusts and isolated large hail are possible.
Additionally, there is an increased risk of flash flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

MDZ001-WVZ012-021-509>514-260900-
Garrett-Wetzel-Marion-Monongalia-
Ridges of Eastern Monongalia and Northwestern Preston-Preston-
Eastern Preston-Western Tucker-Eastern Tucker-
447 AM EDT Sat May 25 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for western Maryland and northern
West Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible late Saturday
afternoon and evening. This primary threats with the strongest of
storms are damaging wind gusts and large hail.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Strong to severe storms are possible once again Sunday afternoon.
Damaging wind gusts and isolated large hail are possible.
Additionally, there is an increased risk of flash flooding.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

PAZ007>009-015-016-260900-
Mercer-Venango-Forest-Clarion-Jefferson PA-
447 AM EDT Sat May 25 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Pennsylvania and
west central Pennsylvania.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Strong to severe storms are possible this afternoon and evening.
Strong and damaging wind gusts, large hail, and tornadoes are all
possible.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Hazardous weather is not expected.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Weather spotters are encouraged to report significant weather
conditions according to Standard Operating Procedures.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 25, 7:14 PM EDT, 1 hour 36 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
714 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019

PAZ029-WVZ002-003-252345-
Washington-Brooke-Ohio-
714 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING GUSTY WIND AND HEAVY
RAIN WILL AFFECT SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON...OHIO AND SOUTHEASTERN
BROOKE COUNTIES...

At 714 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Warwood, moving
east at 30 mph.

Wind gusts up to 45 mph are possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Wheeling...                       West Liberty...
Triadelphia...                    Clearview...
Valley Grove...                   Wolfdale...
Claysville...                     West Alexander...
Taylorstown...                    Green Hills...
Clinton...

This includes the following highways...
  Interstate 70 in West Virginia between mile markers 8 and 14.
  Interstate 70 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 0 and 13.

Torrential rainfall also is occurring with this storm and may cause
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

LAT...LON 4004 8061 4007 8069 4011 8070 4015 8067
      4021 8030 4002 8030 4001 8031
TIME...MOT...LOC 2314Z 275DEG 27KT 4010 8065

Special weather statement, May 25, 7:20 PM EDT, 1 hour 30 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pittsburgh PA
720 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019

PAZ014-020>022-252345-
Armstrong-Butler-Beaver-Allegheny-
720 PM EDT Sat May 25 2019

...A LINE OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HAIL AND GUSTY
WIND WILL AFFECT SOUTHEASTERN BEAVER...SOUTHERN BUTLER...NORTHERN
ALLEGHENY AND WESTERN ARMSTRONG COUNTIES...

At 720 PM EDT, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located
along a line extending from near Evans City to Ambridge. Movement was
east at 40 mph.

Wind gusts up to 45 mph and hail up to the size of nickels are
possible with these storms.

Locations impacted include...
Pittsburgh...                     Ross Township...
McCandless Township...            Cranberry...
Moon Township...                  Franklin Park...
Aliquippa...                      Shaler Township...
Hampton Township...               Economy...
O'hara Township...                Bellevue...

This includes the following highways...
  Pennsylvania Turnpike between mile markers 27 and 45.
  Interstate 79 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 67 and 81.
  Interstate 376 in Pennsylvania between mile markers 47 and 49.

LAT...LON 4081 7960 4048 7993 4055 8031 4081 8000
TIME...MOT...LOC 2320Z 258DEG 36KT 4077 7999 4059 8021

Local storm report, May 25, 7:34 PM EDT, 1 hour 16 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PITTSBURGH PA
734 PM EDT SAT MAY 25 2019

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0734 PM     HAIL             GIBSONIA                40.63N  79.97W
05/25/2019  M1.00 INCH       ALLEGHENY          PA   PUBLIC

&&

EVENT NUMBER PBZ1902097

Special weather statement, May 25, 8:03 PM EDT, 47 minutes before

<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

Local storm report, May 25, 8:18 PM EDT, 32 minutes before

<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

Local storm report, May 25, 8:46 PM EDT, 4 minutes before

<!doctype html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="utf-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
  <title>Service Notice</title>
  <link rel="stylesheet" href="index.css">
</head>
<body>
  <main class="wrap">
    <section class="card" role="status" aria-live="polite">
      <div class="status" id="status">Temporary Notice</div>
      <h1 id="headline">This service is currently unavailable.</h1>
      <p id="message1">
        The site you requested is temporarily down for maintenance or an unexpected outage.
      </p>
      <p id="message2">
        Please try again in a few minutes.
      </p>
      <p class="small" id="detail">
        If you are an administrator, restore upstream service and remove the redirect/fallback rule when normal operations resume.
      </p>
    </section>
  </main>
  <script src="index.js"></script>
</body>
</html>

The office that day

Everything else NWS Pittsburgh, PA issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 25, 8:03 PM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Greene	27 min
May 25, 8:11 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Armstrong, Indiana, Westmoreland	34 min
May 25, 8:21 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Fayette, Greene	24 min
May 25, 8:37 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Indiana, Westmoreland	38 min
May 26, 10:00 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Beaver	30 min
May 26, 9:32 AM EDT	Special Weather Statement	PBZ	Carroll, Jefferson	28 min
May 26, 6:56 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Noble	34 min
May 25, 8:05 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Tucker	40 min
May 26, 7:40 PM EDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	PBZ	Monongalia, Preston	35 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Pennsylvania, 2019 Every severe thunderstorm warning in 2019

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.